Earth-boring tools including bearing element assemblies, and related methods

ABSTRACT

An earth-boring tool includes a body comprising a pocket in a leading end thereof for accepting at least a portion of a bearing element assembly. A bearing element assembly may be disposed within the pocket, and the bearing element assembly may include a retaining element at least partially disposed in a groove in a sidewall of the pocket and a bearing element. The bearing element may include a distal end having a bearing surface, a proximal end, and a side surface between the distal end and the proximal end, the side surface comprising a feature configured to abut the retaining element, wherein mechanical interference between the feature and the retaining element axially retains the bearing element within the pocket. Methods include disengaging a mechanical retention device retaining a bearing element within a pocket in a body of the earth-boring tool, and removing the bearing element from the pocket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to earth-boring toolsincluding bearing element assemblies, and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Earth-boring tools are used to form boreholes (e.g., wellbores) insubterranean formations. Such earth-boring tools include, for example,drill bits, reamers, mills, etc. For example, a fixed-cutterearth-boring rotary drill bit (often referred to as a “drag” bit)generally includes a plurality of cutting elements secured to a face ofa bit body of the drill bit. The cutters are fixed in place when used tocut formation materials. A conventional fixed-cutter earth-boring rotarydrill bit includes a bit body having generally radially projecting andlongitudinally extending blades. During drilling operations, the drillbit is positioned at the bottom of a well borehole and rotated.

A plurality of cutting elements is positioned on each of the blades. Thecutting elements commonly comprise a “table” of superabrasive material,such as mutually bound particles of polycrystalline diamond, formed on asupporting substrate of a hard material, such as cemented tungstencarbide. Such cutting elements are often referred to as “polycrystallinediamond compact” (PDC) cutting elements or cutters. The plurality of PDCcutting elements may be fixed within cutting element pockets formed inrotationally leading surfaces of each of the blades. Conventionally, abonding material, such as a braze alloy, may be used to secure thecutting elements to the bit body.

Some earth-boring tools may also include bearing elements that may limitthe depth-of-cut (DOC) of the cutting elements, protect the cuttingelements from excessive contact with the formation, enhance (e.g.,improve) lateral stability of the tool, or perform other functions orcombinations of functions. The bearing elements conventionally arelocated entirely rotationally behind associated leading cutting elementsto limit DOC as the bearing elements contact and ride on an underlyingearth formation, although bearing elements rotationally leading cuttingelements are also known.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, an earth-boring tool includes a bodywith a pocket in a leading end thereof for accepting at least a portionof a bearing element assembly. A bearing element assembly is disposedwithin the pocket, and the bearing element assembly includes a retainingelement at least partially disposed in a groove in a sidewall of thepocket and a bearing element. The bearing element includes a distal endhaving a bearing surface, a proximal end, and a side surface between thedistal end and the proximal end. The side surface includes a featureconfigured to abut the retaining element, and mechanical interferencebetween the feature and the retaining element axially retains thebearing element within the pocket.

In another aspect of the disclosure, an earth-boring tool includes abody with a threaded receptacle in a leading end thereof for acceptingat least a portion of a bearing element assembly. A bearing elementassembly is disposed within the threaded receptacle, and the bearingelement assembly may include a holder with a receptacle at a distal endthereof for receiving a bearing element, a threaded outer surface at aproximal end thereof for engagement with the threaded receptacle in thebody of the earth-boring tool, and at least one feature proximate thedistal end of the holder configured to interface with a tool adapted toapply torque to the holder.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a method of replacing a bearingelement of an earth-boring tool includes disengaging a mechanicalretention device retaining a first bearing element within a pocket in abody of the earth-boring tool, removing the first bearing element fromthe pocket, placing a second bearing element in the pocket, wherein thesecond bearing element comprises at least one of a shape of a bearingsurface and an exposure of a bearing surface different from the firstbearing element, and engaging the mechanical retention device to retainthe second bearing element within the pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the presentinvention, various features and advantages of disclosed embodiments maybe more readily ascertained from the following description when readwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an earth-boring drill bit with bearingelement assemblies of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a bearing element assembly ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of another bearing elementassembly of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of another bearing elementassembly of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a bearing element assembly andsleeve of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional side of another bearing elementassembly and sleeve of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another bearing element assembly of thedisclosure disposed in a blade of an earth-boring tool;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another bearing element assembly of thedisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another bearing element assembly of thedisclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bearing element assembly of FIG. 9installed in an earth-boring drill bit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of anyparticular material, bearing element assembly, or earth-boring tool, butare merely idealized representations employed to describe embodiments ofthe present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figuresmay retain the same numerical designation.

As used herein, the term “bearing element” means an element configuredto be mounted on a body of an earth-boring tool, such as a drill bit,and to rub against a formation as the body of the earth-boring tool isrotated within a wellbore. Bearing elements include, for example, whatare referred to in the art as depth-of-cut (DOC) control elements.Bearing elements do not include conventional PDC cutting elementsconfigured to cut formation material by a shearing mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an earth-boring tool100 of the present disclosure. The earth-boring tool 100 of FIG. 1 isconfigured as an earth-boring rotary drill bit. The earth-boring tool100, more specifically, comprises a drag bit having a plurality ofcutting elements 102 affixed to a body 104 of the earth-boring tool 100.The earth-boring tool 100 also includes one or more bearing elementassemblies 106 that are attached to the body 104. The present disclosurerelates to embodiments of earth-boring tools including bearing elementassemblies 106 that enable replacement of bearing elements withoutreturning the bit to a manufacturing facility, (i.e., embodiments thatenable replacement in the field of use), and without requiring a brazingprocess to mount the bearing element to the body 104 of the earth-boringtool 100. The bearing element assemblies 106 may include features thatinteract with features of the earth-boring tool 100 to facilitateretention of the bearing element assemblies 106 within the earth-boringtool 100 and removal of the bearing element assemblies 106 from theearth-boring tool 100, as discussed in further detail below.

The body 104 of the earth-boring tool 100 may be secured to a shank 108having a threaded connection portion 110, which may conform to industrystandards, such as those promulgated by the American Petroleum Institute(API), for attaching the earth-boring tool 100 to a drill string (notshown).

The body 104 may include internal fluid passageways that extend betweenfluid ports 112 at the face of the body 104 and a longitudinal bore thatextends through the shank 108 and partially through the body 104. Nozzleinserts 114 may be secured within the fluid ports 112 of the internalfluid passageways. The body 104 may further include a plurality ofblades 116 that are separated by fluid courses 118, which may bereferred to in the art as “junk slots.” In some embodiments, the body104 may include gage wear plugs 120, wear knots 122, or both.

Each bearing element assembly 106 may be positioned on a blade 116 torotationally trail at least one cutting element 102, as shown in FIG. 1.In some embodiments, the bearing element assemblies 106 may bepositioned to rotationally follow cutting elements 102 on the same blade116 at the same radius from the center of the earth-boring tool 100, ormay be disposed at positions intermediate at least two cutting elements102 along a radial axis. The bearing element assemblies 106 may beformed partially or fully of a wear-resistant material, such as cementedtungsten carbide, or distal ends thereof may comprise a wear-resistantmaterial, such as cemented tungsten carbide or a superabrasive materialsuch as polycrystalline diamond or cubic boron nitride. Thewear-resistant material may comprise a coating or particles of thewear-resistant material over an entirety of the distal end, or insertsof the wear-resistant material embedded in a surface of the distal end.

Bearing element assemblies like the bearing element assemblies 106 mayserve to limit the depth-of-cut (DOC) of the cutting elements 102.Drilling characteristics of a particular bit, such as DOC, may depend onexposure of bearing surfaces of the bearing element assemblies 106.Thus, bearing element assemblies having different exposures may impartdifferent drilling characteristics to a particular bit design.Conventionally, bearing elements similar to bearing element assemblies106 may be brazed into pockets in the earth-boring tool 100. Replacementof brazed bearing elements typically requires the earth-boring tool 100to be returned to a manufacturing facility where the bit body mayundergo heat cycles during a brazing process. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure relate to earth-boring tools and bearing element assembliesthat enable replacement of the bearing element assemblies in the fieldof use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a bearing element assembly 200 is showndisposed within a pocket 202 of a blade 204 of an earth-boring tool 100(FIG. 1). The bearing element assembly 200 may include a bearing element201 and a retaining element 216. The bearing element 201 may include adistal end 206 with a bearing surface 208. The bearing surface 208 mayhave a convex shape, such as a shape generally defined by a portion of asphere. In some embodiments, the bearing surface 208 may besubstantially hemispherical, substantially conical, or chisel-shaped. Abearing element assembly such as bearing element assembly 200 may bereferred to in the art as an “ovoid.” In some embodiments, the bearingsurface 208 may comprise an asymmetrical shape.

The bearing element 201 may comprise a proximal end 210 and a sidesurface 212 between the distal end 206 and the proximal end 210. Theside surface 212 may also be characterized as a sidewall. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, the side surface 212 may comprise a circulartransverse cross-sectional shape, imparting to the side surface 212 asubstantially cylindrical shape. In other embodiments, the transversecross-sectional shape may include, without limitation, other shapes suchas ellipses, polygons, and shapes including both arcuate and rectilinearportions.

The pocket 202 may have a transverse cross-sectional shape generallysimilar to the transverse cross-sectional shape of the side surface 212of the bearing element assembly 200. In some embodiments, the sidesurface 212 may be sized such that the bearing element 201 fits withinthe pocket 202 with an interference fit. In other embodiments, the sidesurface 212 and the pocket 202 may be sized such that a clearance existsbetween the side surface 212 of the bearing element 201 and a sidewall203 of the pocket 202. Such a clearance may be provided intentionally toease insertion and removal of the bearing element assembly 200, or theclearance may be the result of inaccuracy inherent in the manufacturingprocess.

The sidewall 203 of the pocket 202 may include a groove 214 in a planegenerally normal to a central axis A_(c) of the pocket 202. The groove214 may be substantially annular. A retaining element 216 may be atleast partially disposed within the groove 214. The retaining element216 may also be characterized as a mechanical retention device. As anon-limiting example, the retaining element 216 may have a substantiallycircular transverse cross-sectional shape (i.e., in the cross-section ofFIG. 2) and partially surround a portion of the periphery of the sidesurface 212. In other words, the retaining element 216 may besubstantially annularly shaped, but may include a gap to allowcircumferential expansion and contraction of the retaining element 216.The retaining element 216 may have any suitable transversecross-sectional shape, such as arcuate shapes, linear shapes, andcombinations thereof. The retaining element 216 may comprise a resilientmaterial, such as a steel alloy.

The side surface 212 of the bearing element 201 may include a featureagainst which a portion of the retaining element 216 may abut to retainthe bearing element 201 within the pocket 202. For example, a portion ofthe retaining element 216 may extend from the groove 214 and into arecess 218 in the side surface 212 of the bearing element 201.Mechanical interference between the retaining element 216, a surface ofthe blade 204 within the groove 214, and a portion 220 of the sidesurface 212 of the bearing element 201 within the recess 218 may retainthe bearing element 201 within the pocket 202.

One or more removal access holes may extend through an exterior surfaceof the blade 204 and intersect at least a portion of the pocket 202. Forexample, one or more channels 222 may be disposed in the sidewall 203 ofthe pocket 202. For example, the one or more channels 222 may extendinto a surface of the blade 204 in a direction substantially parallel tothe central axis A_(c) of the pocket 202, and may intersect the pocket202 adjacent a portion of the side surface 212 of the bearing elementassembly 200. The one or more channels 222 may be configured to accept aremoval tool used to facilitate removal of the bearing element assembly200 from the pocket 202 of the blade 204, as will be described ingreater detail below. The one or more channels 222 may be spacedequidistantly about a circumference of the pocket 202. For example, inthe embodiment of FIG. 2, two channels 222 may be spaced one hundredeighty degrees (180°) apart.

The side surface 212 of the bearing element 201 may include a notch 224positioned adjacent the one or more channels 222. As a non-limitingexample, the notch 224 may have an annular shape, i.e., the notch 224may extend around a circumference of the side surface 212 of the bearingelement 201.

To remove the bearing element 201 from the pocket 202 of the blade 204,an operator may insert a tool (e.g., a prying tool, such as a pry bar orflat-bladed screwdriver, or a pulling tool, such as a multi jawedpuller) into the one or more channels 222, such that a portion of thetool rests within the notch 224 in the side surface 212. Using the tool,the operator may apply a force F generally parallel to the central axisA_(c) of the pocket 202, e.g., by prying or pulling against the bearingelement 201 within the notch 224. Under the applied force F, a portionof the side surface 212 within the recess 218 may bear against theretaining element 216 and urge the retaining element 216 to expandcircumferentially into the groove 214. The retaining element 216 maymove free of the recess 218 to enable removal of the bearing element 201from the pocket 202. The retaining element 216 may be left within thegroove 214, or may be circumferentially compressed and removed from thegroove 214 and the pocket 202. A replacement retaining element may beinserted into the pocket 202 and into the groove 214.

A replacement bearing element may be inserted into the pocket 202 by theoperator. As shown in FIG. 2, the bearing element 201 may include achamfered edge 226 in the side surface 212 adjacent the proximal end210. As the bearing element 201 is inserted into the pocket 202, thechamfered edge 226 may cause the retaining element 216 to expandcircumferentially into the groove 214 and slide along the side surface212. When the bearing element 201 is fully inserted into the pocket 202,the retaining element 216 may circumferentially contract such that aportion of the retaining element 216 is disposed within the recess 218,as described above.

When necessary, the operator may replace the bearing element 201 withanother bearing element having different characteristics, e.g., adifferent exposure or shape of the bearing surface 208, to impart to theearth-boring tool 100 (FIG. 1) different drilling characteristics.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a bearing element assembly 300is shown. The bearing element assembly 300 may include a bearing element301 and a retaining element 324. The bearing element assembly 300 may bedisposed in a pocket 302 of a blade 304 of an earth-boring tool (e.g.,earth-boring tool 100 shown in FIG. 1). The bearing element 301 mayinclude a distal end 306 with a bearing surface 308. The bearing surface308 may include any of the materials, shapes, and characteristicsdiscussed above. The bearing element 301 may include a proximal end 310and a side surface 314 between the distal end 306 and the proximal end310.

A feature such as a flange 316 may extend from the side surface 314. Asa non-limiting example, the flange 316 may be substantially annular. Thepocket 302 may be shaped to receive the flange 316. For example, thepocket 302 may include a first portion 318 having a first diameter D₁,the first portion 318 extending a first depth Dp₁ into the blade 304along a central axis A_(c) of the pocket 302. The pocket 302 may have asecond portion 320 having a second diameter D₂, the second portion 320extending a second depth Dp₂ into the blade 304 along the central axisA_(c). The first diameter D₁ may be greater than the second diameter D₂,and the first depth Dp₁ may be less than the second depth Dp₂. The firstdiameter D₁ may be substantially the same as a diameter of the flange316, and the flange 316 may be substantially received within the firstportion 318 of the pocket 302.

The first portion 318 of the pocket 302 may include a groove 322 in asidewall thereof. A retaining element 324 may be disposed at leastpartially within the groove 322. In this embodiment, the groove 322 issubstantially annular in shape. The retaining element 324 may abut aportion of the flange 316 to retain the bearing element 301 within thepocket 302. As a non-limiting example, the retaining element 324 may bea spiral snap ring. In other embodiments, the retaining element may bean internal split snap ring (which may be referred to in the art as a“circlip”).

One or more removal access holes may extend through an exterior surfaceof the blade 304 and intersect the pocket 302 adjacent a portion of thebearing element 301. For example, the one or more removal access holesmay be defined by one or more channels 326 disposed in a sidewall 303 ofthe pocket 302. The one or more channels 326 may extend from an exteriorsurface of the blade 304 into the blade 304 in a direction generallyparallel to the central axis A_(c) of the pocket 302. The one or morechannels 326 may intersect the first portion 318 of the pocket 302adjacent a portion of the flange 316. The one or more channels 326 maybe equidistantly spaced around a circumference of the pocket 302. Forexample, three channels 326 may be spaced about one hundred twentydegrees (120°) apart.

To remove the bearing element 301, an operator may remove the retainingelement 324 by, e.g., prying an end of the retaining element 324 out ofthe groove 322 and gradually prying the retaining element 324 from thegroove 322 around a circumference thereof in the case of a spiral snapring. As another example, the operator may use snap ring pliers or asimilar tool to circumferentially contract a split ring and remove itfrom the groove 322. A removal tool such as a prying or pulling tool asdescribed above may be inserted into the one or more channels 326, suchthat a portion of the removal tool contacts a proximal surface 328 ofthe flange 316. Using the tool, the operator may apply a force Fgenerally along the central axis A_(c), e.g., by prying or pulling, torelease the bearing element 301 from the pocket 302.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a bearing element assembly 400 may be disposedwithin a pocket 402 of a blade 404. The bearing element assembly 400 mayinclude a bearing element 401 and a retaining element 416. A removalaccess hole may be defined by a bore 406 that extends through anexterior surface of the blade 404 and intersects a floor 408 of thepocket 402 adjacent a proximal surface 410 of the bearing element 401.The pocket 402 may include a groove 414 in a sidewall thereof, and aretaining element 416 at least partially disposed within the groove 414and contacting a recess 418 in a side surface 412 of the bearing element401.

To remove the bearing element 401 from the pocket 402, an operator mayinsert a portion of a tool 420 into the bore 406. For example, the tool420 may be a tool with an elongated shank at a working end, such as apin punch. The operator may drive the tool 420 into the bore 406 untilthe tool abuts the proximal surface 410 of the bearing element 401.Driving the tool 420 further into the bore 406 may cause the tool 420 tobear against the proximal surface 410 of the bearing element 401 andforce the bearing element 401 from the pocket 402.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, bearing elementassemblies may include a bearing element disposed within a receptacle ofa holder. The holder may include a mechanical retention device (e.g., athreaded outer surface configured to interface with a threadedreceptacle in a blade of an earth-boring tool 100 (FIG. 1)) to enableretention and replacement of the bearing element assemblies.

For example, referring now to FIG. 5, a bearing element assembly 500 mayinclude a bearing element 502 and a holder 504. The bearing element 502may have a bearing surface 503 including any of the shapes and materialsdiscussed above in connection with bearing surface 208 (FIG. 2). Theholder 504 may include a distal end 506 with a receptacle 508 in whichthe bearing element 502 is disposed. The bearing element 502 may beaffixed within the receptacle 508 by brazing, an interference fit,adhesives, or other methods. The holder 506 may include a proximal end510 with a threaded outer surface 512, which may also be characterizedas a threaded shank. In other embodiments, the bearing element assembly500 may be a unitary structure, i.e., the bearing element 502 and theholder 504 may be formed as a single component.

In FIG. 5, the threaded outer surface 512 is shown threaded into asleeve 514 with a threaded inside diameter 516 and a substantiallysmooth outside diameter 518. The sleeve 514 may be received (e.g.,affixed) within a pocket of a blade of an earth-boring tool to form athreaded receptacle, as described below in connection with FIG. 7.

A mechanical locking device 520 may be disposed between a distal surface522 of the sleeve 514 and a proximal surface 524 of the holder 504. Themechanical locking device 522 may include, as non-limiting examples, alocking washer such as a split washer or star washer, a Belleville(i.e., conical) washer, or other locking washers.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a bearing element assembly 600 may include abearing element 602 and a holder 604. The holder 604 may include adistal end 606 with a receptacle 608 in which the bearing element 602may be disposed. The holder 604 may include a proximal end 610 with athreaded outer surface 612. The threaded outer surface 612 may bethreaded into a sleeve 614 with a threaded inside diameter 616 and asubstantially smooth outside diameter 618.

The holder 604 may include a conical portion 620 between the distal end606 and the proximal end 610. The sleeve 614 may include a correspondingconical surface 622 on an inner diameter at a location distal to thethreaded inside diameter 616. Contact between the conical portion 620 ofthe holder 604 and the conical surface 622 of the sleeve 614 may enhance(e.g., increase) a frictional force between the holder 604 and thesleeve 614, preventing the holder 604 from rotating relative to thesleeve 614 and consequently loosening from the sleeve 614.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a bearing element assembly 700 similar tobearing element assemblies 500 and 600 (FIGS. 5 and 6) is shown disposedwithin a threaded receptacle 702 of a blade 704. The bearing elementassembly 700 may include features configured to interface with a tooladapted to apply torque to the bearing element assembly 700. As anon-limiting example, the bearing element assembly 700 may includesurfaces arranged in a hexagonal pattern (e.g., wrench flats 706) forinterfacing with a tool such as a socket wrench. It should be understoodthat any known feature, shape, surface, or configuration thereof thatenables the bearing element assembly 700 to interface with a tooladapted to apply torque to the bearing element assembly 700 is withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

The threaded receptacle 702 of the blade 704 may include a pocket 708and a sleeve 710 disposed in the pocket 708. The sleeve 710 may besimilar to sleeves 514 and 614 described above with reference to FIGS. 5and 6, respectively. In some embodiments, the sleeve 710 may be brazedwithin the pocket 708.

The pocket 708 may include a slot 712 adjacent an outside diameter 718of the sleeve 710. The slot 712 may extend through the blade 704 toexpose a portion of the outside diameter 718 of the sleeve 710, as shownin FIG. 7. The slot 712 may provide an access location for brazing thesleeve into the pocket 708. For example, heat and braze material may beapplied to the outside diameter 718 of the sleeve 710 through the slot712 as the sleeve 710 is rotated to ensure the braze material isdistributed around substantially the entire outside diameter 718 of thesleeve 710.

To remove the bearing element assembly 700 from the blade 704, anoperator may place a tool, e.g., a socket wrench, over the wrench flats706 and apply a rotational force with the tool to the bearing elementassembly 700. The operator may remove the bearing element assembly 700from the sleeve 710 and pocket 708. The operator may place a replacementbearing element assembly 700 within the pocket 708 and use the tool totighten threads (e.g., threaded shank 512, 612 of holders 504, 604 shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively) of the bearing element assembly 700 intoa threaded inside diameter (e.g., 516, 616 of FIGS. 5 and 6) of thesleeve 710. As described above, the bearing element assembly 700 may bereplaced when necessitated by damage, or when changed drillingconditions require different bit characteristics that can be obtained byreplacing the bearing element assembly 700 with a bearing elementassembly having a different exposure of a bearing surface (e.g., bearingsurface 503 (FIG. 5)).

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a bearing element assembly 800according to the disclosure. The bearing element assembly 800 includes abearing element 802 and a holder 804. The bearing element 802 mayexhibit an exposure above the holder 804 that may be chosen based on thedesired bit depth-of-cut characteristics, as described above. The holder804 may comprise one or more notches 806 configured to interface with atool adapted to apply torque to the holder 804. For example, the one ormore notches 806 may be arranged around a periphery of the holder 804and may be configured to receive protrusions of a tool (e.g.,protrusions on a wrench or a socket wrench specially configured tointerface with the notches 806). The holder 804 may include a threadedouter surface 808 configured to interface with threads of a threadedreceptacle in an earth-boring tool 100 (FIG. 1). The threaded receptaclemay include a pocket and a threaded sleeve, e.g., pocket 708 andthreaded sleeve 710 (FIG. 7), or the threaded receptacle may includethreads formed directly in the body of the earth-boring tool 100. Suchthreads may be machined in a bit body comprising a metal alloy, e.g., asteel-bodied bit, or may be cast in a bit body comprising aparticle-matrix composite material.

The threaded outer surface 808 may be configured substantiallyidentically to an outer surface of a nozzle insert 114 (FIG. 1) alsomounted on the earth-boring tool 100. In other words, the lateralexterior side surfaces of the holder 804 may have a configuration (size,shape, and dimensions) substantially similar, or even identical to theexterior side surfaces of at least one nozzle insert 114 also mounted tothe earth-boring tool 100. For example, parameters such as a diameterand thread shape of the threaded outer surface may be substantiallyidentical to the diameter and thread shape of the outer surface of thenozzle insert 114. Accordingly, a drill bit manufacturer may use methodsand tooling associated with the production of nozzle inserts 114 andthreaded interiors of fluid ports 112 (FIG. 1) to produce bearingelement holders, e.g., bearing element holders 804, and threadedreceptacles in bit bodies as described above. Thus, such bearing elementholders and threaded receptacles in bit bodies may be producedeconomically, as the drill bit manufacturer may not have to make asignificant investment in new or additional tooling.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a bearing element assembly 900 includes abearing element 902 disposed in a holder 904, the bearing element 902having an elongated side surface 910 and one or more fluid outlets 912in communication with an internal fluid passageway 914 (indicated withbroken lines). The internal fluid passageway 914 may extend through aproximal end 916 of the bearing element assembly 900. The bearingelement assembly 900 may include a threaded outer surface 908 configuredsubstantially identically to an outer surface of a nozzle insert, e.g.,nozzle insert 114 (FIG. 1). In other words, the bearing element assembly900 may be configured to be threaded into fluid ports 112 (FIG. 1) inplace of nozzle inserts 114. Fluid flow from the fluid ports 112 mayflow into the internal fluid passageway 914 and exit the one or morefluid outlets 912. A height H of the elongated side surface 906 may bechosen so that the bearing element 902 extends from the fluid port 112 asufficient distance to limit the DOC of cutting elements 102 (FIG. 1) adesired amount. As a non-limiting example, the holder 904 may includenotches 906 configured to interface with a tool adapted to apply torqueto the holder 904, as described in FIG. 8 in connection with notches806.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a bearing element assembly 1000 similar to thebearing element assembly 900 described in connection with FIG. 9 isshown installed in an earth-boring tool 1002. The bearing elementassembly 1000 may be installed in a fluid port 1004 disposed in thebottom surface within a fluid course 1006 between blades 1008 of theearth-boring tool 1002. The bearing element assembly 1000 may extendfrom the fluid port 1004 toward leading ends 1010 of the blades 1008 adistance sufficient to limit a DOC of cutting elements 1012 disposed inthe leading ends 1010 of the blades 1008. During use, a flow of drillingfluid exiting the fluid port 1004 may flow into an internal fluidpassageway (not shown) in the bearing element assembly 1000 similar tointernal fluid passageway 910 described above in connection with FIG. 9.The fluid may flow from outlet ports 1014 and into the fluid course 1006to flush formation cuttings and drilling debris away from the blades1008 and cutting elements 1012.

Additional non-limiting example embodiments of the disclosure are setforth below.

Embodiment 1

An earth-boring tool, comprising: a body comprising a pocket in aleading end thereof for accepting at least a portion of a bearingelement assembly; and a bearing element assembly disposed within thepocket, the bearing element assembly comprising: a retaining element atleast partially disposed in a groove in a sidewall of the pocket; and abearing element comprising: a distal end having a bearing surface; aproximal end; and a side surface between the distal end and the proximalend, the side surface comprising a feature configured to abut theretaining element, wherein mechanical interference between the featureand the retaining element axially retains the bearing element within thepocket.

Embodiment 2

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 1, further comprising at least oneremoval access hole extending through an exterior surface of the bodyand intersecting the pocket, wherein the at least one removal accesshole is configured to receive a removal tool.

Embodiment 3

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 2, wherein the at least one removalaccess hole is defined by a channel in the sidewall of the pocket andextending in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis of thepocket.

Embodiment 4

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 3, wherein the at least one removalaccess hole comprises a plurality of channels spaced equidistantlyaround the sidewall of the pocket.

Embodiment 5

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 3 or Embodiment 4, wherein the sidesurface of the bearing element comprises a notch adjacent the channel.

Embodiment 6

The earth-boring tool of any one of Embodiments 2 through 5, wherein theat least one removal access hole comprises a bore extending through anexterior surface of the body and intersecting the pocket.

Embodiment 7

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 6, wherein the bore intersects thepocket adjacent a proximal surface of the bearing element.

Embodiment 8

The earth-boring tool of any one of Embodiments 1 through 7, wherein theprotrusion comprises a substantially annular flange extending laterallyfrom the side surface of the bearing element.

Embodiment 9

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 8, wherein the sidewall of thepocket comprises a first portion having a first diameter extending intothe body a first depth along a central axis of the pocket and a secondportion having a second diameter extending into the body a second depthalong the central axis of the pocket, wherein the first diameter isgreater than the second diameter and the second depth is greater thanthe first depth.

Embodiment 10

The earth-boring tool of any one of Embodiments 1 through 7, wherein thefeature comprises a portion of the side surface of the bearing elementwithin a substantially annular recess.

Embodiment 11

The earth-boring tool of any one of Embodiments 1 through 10, whereinthe earth-boring tool is a fixed-cutter rotary drill bit.

Embodiment 12

An earth-boring tool, comprising: a body comprising a threadedreceptacle in a leading end thereof for accepting at least a portion ofa bearing element assembly; and a bearing element assembly disposedwithin the threaded receptacle, the bearing element assembly comprising:a holder with a receptacle at a distal end thereof for receiving abearing element and a threaded outer surface at a proximal end thereoffor engagement with the threaded receptacle in the body of theearth-boring tool; and at least one feature proximate the distal end ofthe holder configured to interface with a tool adapted to apply torqueto the holder.

Embodiment 13

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 12, wherein the threaded receptaclecomprises a sleeve with an at least partially threaded inner diameterand a generally smooth outer diameter, and the sleeve is disposed withina pocket of the body.

Embodiment 14

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 12 or Embodiment 13, furthercomprising a slot extending from an exterior surface of the body to aportion of an outer surface of the sleeve.

Embodiment 15

The earth-boring tool of any one of Embodiments 12 through 14, whereinthe threaded outer surface of the holder is configured substantiallyidentically to an outer surface of a nozzle insert for insertion in afluid outlet port in the body of the earth-boring tool.

Embodiment 16

The earth-boring tool of Embodiment 15, wherein the bearing elementassembly comprises an internal fluid passageway in communication with afluid port in the body of the earth-boring tool and in communicationwith one or more fluid outlets in a side surface of the bearing element.

Embodiment 17

A method of replacing a bearing element of an earth-boring tool,comprising: disengaging a mechanical retention device retaining a firstbearing element within a pocket in a body of the earth-boring tool;removing the first bearing element from the pocket; placing a secondbearing element in the pocket, wherein the second bearing elementcomprises at least one of a shape of a bearing surface and an exposureof a bearing surface different from the first bearing element; andengaging the mechanical retention device to retain the second bearingelement within the pocket.

Embodiment 18

The method of Embodiment 17, wherein disengaging the mechanicalretention device comprises rotating the bearing element relative to thepocket to disengage threads on an outer surface of the bearing elementfrom threads in a sidewall of the pocket.

Embodiment 19

The method of Embodiment 17, wherein disengaging the mechanicalretention device comprises removing a retaining element from a groove ina sidewall of the pocket.

Embodiment 20

The method of Embodiment 17, wherein disengaging the mechanicalretention device comprises applying a force to a surface of the bearingelement with a tool inserted in a removal access hole extending throughan exterior surface of the body and intersecting the pocket.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention, butmerely as providing certain exemplary embodiments. Similarly, otherembodiments of the invention may be devised, which do not depart fromthe spirit or scope of the present disclosure. For example, featuresdescribed herein with reference to one embodiment also may be providedin others of the embodiments described herein. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated and limited only by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the foregoingdescription. All additions, deletions, and modifications to thedisclosed embodiments, which fall within the meaning and scope of theclaims, are encompassed by the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An earth-boring tool, comprising: a bodycomprising a pocket in a leading end thereof for accepting at least aportion of a bearing element assembly; and a bearing element assemblydisposed within the pocket, the bearing element assembly comprising: aretaining element at least partially disposed in a groove in a sidewallof the pocket; and a bearing element comprising: a distal end having abearing surface; a proximal end; and a side surface between the distalend and the proximal end, the side surface comprising a featureconfigured to abut the retaining element, wherein mechanicalinterference between the feature and the retaining element axiallyretains the bearing element within the pocket.
 2. The earth-boring toolof claim 1, further comprising at least one removal access holeextending through an exterior surface of the body and intersecting thepocket, wherein the at least one removal access hole is configured toreceive a removal tool.
 3. The earth-boring tool of claim 2, wherein theat least one removal access hole is defined by a channel in the sidewallof the pocket and extending in a direction substantially parallel to acentral axis of the pocket.
 4. The earth-boring tool of claim 3, whereinthe at least one removal access hole comprises a plurality of channelsspaced equidistantly around the sidewall of the pocket.
 5. Theearth-boring tool of claim 3, wherein the side surface of the bearingelement comprises a notch adjacent the channel.
 6. The earth-boring toolof claim 2, wherein the at least one removal access hole comprises abore extending through an exterior surface of the body and intersectingthe pocket.
 7. The earth-boring tool of claim 6, wherein the boreintersects the pocket adjacent a proximal surface of the bearingelement.
 8. The earth-boring tool of claim 1, wherein the featurecomprises a substantially annular flange extending laterally from theside surface of the bearing element.
 9. The earth-boring tool of claim8, wherein the sidewall of the pocket comprises a first portion having afirst diameter extending into the body a first depth along a centralaxis of the pocket and a second portion having a second diameterextending into the body a second depth along the central axis of thepocket, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameterand the second depth is greater than the first depth.
 10. Theearth-boring tool of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a portion ofthe side surface of the bearing element within a substantially annularrecess.
 11. The earth-boring tool of claim 1, wherein the earth-boringtool is a fixed-cutter rotary drill bit.
 12. An earth-boring tool,comprising: a body comprising a threaded receptacle in a leading endthereof for accepting at least a portion of a bearing element assembly;and a bearing element assembly disposed within the threaded receptacle,the bearing element assembly comprising: a holder with a receptacle at adistal end thereof for receiving a bearing element and a threaded outersurface at a proximal end thereof for engagement with the threadedreceptacle in the body of the earth-boring tool; and at least onefeature proximate the distal end of the holder configured to interfacewith a tool adapted to apply torque to the holder.
 13. The earth-boringtool of claim 12, wherein the threaded receptacle comprises a sleevewith an at least partially threaded inner diameter and a generallysmooth outer diameter, and the sleeve is affixed within a pocket of thebody.
 14. The earth-boring tool of claim 13, further comprising a slotextending from an exterior surface of the body to a portion of an outersurface of the sleeve.
 15. The earth-boring tool of claim 12, whereinthe threaded outer surface of the holder is configured substantiallyidentically to an outer surface of a nozzle insert for insertion in afluid outlet port in the body of the earth-boring tool.
 16. Theearth-boring tool of claim 15, wherein the bearing element assemblycomprises an internal fluid passageway in communication with a fluidport in the body of the earth-boring tool and in communication with oneor more fluid outlets in a side surface of the bearing element.
 17. Amethod of replacing a bearing element of an earth-boring tool,comprising: disengaging a mechanical retention device retaining a firstbearing element within a pocket in a body of the earth-boring tool;removing the first bearing element from the pocket; placing a secondbearing element in the pocket, wherein the second bearing elementcomprises at least one of a shape of a bearing surface and an exposureof a bearing surface different from the first bearing element; andengaging the mechanical retention device to retain the second bearingelement within the pocket.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereindisengaging the mechanical retention device comprises rotating thebearing element relative to the pocket to disengage threads on an outersurface of the bearing element from threads in a sidewall of the pocket.19. The method of claim 17, wherein disengaging the mechanical retentiondevice comprises removing a retaining element from a groove in asidewall of the pocket.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein disengagingthe mechanical retention device comprises applying a force to a surfaceof the bearing element with a tool inserted in a removal access holeextending through an exterior surface of the body and intersecting thepocket.